Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference

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Extraction of Malachite Green Using pHEMA Hydrogel

Undergraduate #41
Discipline: Chemistry and Chemical Sciences
Subcategory: Chemistry (not Biochemistry)

Ogechi Irondi - Clark Atlanta University

Discharged effluents from a number of industries containing appreciable amounts of malachite green, a seemingly popular compound utilized to regulate external fungi and numerous infections contained in fish, accumulate into streams, rivers, and gradually flow into municipal water systems. The hazardous compound lacks registration as a benign animal drug due to its exceeding levels of carcinogenicity. Strict monitoring of malachite green consumption prevails currently. Endless efforts to extract and reduce the amount of MG in wastewater systems have been made. Numerous materials such as clays, zeolites, and sawdusts have attempted to remove MG from receiving waters. Crushed carrot stems and carrot leaves powders are other successful methods in extracting MG from aquatic environments. This study focused on the extraction of malachite green with the use of an optically clear 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate hydrogel (HEMA) at room temperature. Repro-ducible extraction of MG, consistent with existing materials, reusability of the hydrogel, and biocompatibility are highly attractive features of this new method, as compared to the available extraction techniques. This study investigated the effect of various crosslinked ratios (1.0, 0.5 and 0.25 mol%) of HEMA and its effectiveness in dye removal. This study will be highly beneficial to develop next generation materials for industrial waste water remediation.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): NSF / LSAMP

Faculty Advisor: James Bu,

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.